Kelloggs pulling out from business in Venezuela

Cereal company Kellogg will be pulling out of Venezuela as workers were prevented from entering their factory in Maracay.

The South American country’s economic decline is to blame, with strict currency control, limited raw materials and inflation affecting businesses and residents.

But during an upcoming election rally in the wake of ongoing national crises, current President Nicolas Maduro says he intends to hand over the Kellogg facility to the workers.

Fourth journalist assassinated in Mexico

Another Mexican journalist has been assassinated in Mexico, marking the fourth killed so far in 2018.

The journo was shot dead on Tuesday morning as he was driving away from his home in Villahermosa.

The Committee to Protect Journalists have stated that two of the four killings this year have been confirmed due to the reporter’s work.

Asthma may be preventatively managed before birth

Diagnosed asthma in preschool aged children has halved by managing the condition in expectant mums’.

Birth difficulties including pre-term birth and low birth weight are linked to asthma and every year it kills 400 Australians, with 37000 being hospitalisations.

Researcher, Joerg Mattes says asthma prevention is the holy grail and these findings have significant implications for patients and ongoing research.

NT seabed mining moratorium extended

The Northern Territory seabed mining moratorium has been extended through 2021.

The ban sees a pause on growing interest in deposits of manganese along the coast of Arnhem Land and the Gulf of Carpentaria.

This follows the ban beginning in 2012 by the then country liberals over concerns about potential environmental impacts.

Concerns grow of Brisbane City Councillor potential conflict of interest

Brisbane City Council’s Julian Simmonds has been called a “walking conflict of interest,” as he is set to campaign for a federal seat while remaining as chairman for city planning.

Opposition leader Peter Cumming has called for Simmonds to resign from his chairman role immediately o avoid a conflict of interest following his selection as the LNP’s candidate.

Opposition councillor Jared Cassidy has also queried whether Simmonds would rule out accepting developer donations through the federal division of the Liberal Party.

Farmers told to stay off social media to reduce anxiety

Agricultural industry professionals have advised for farmers to stay off social media to reduce anxiety and stress.

Many farmers have looked to social media for comparisons to more fruitful regions, which has inevitably  caused an unfair case of FOMO.

This comes as much of Western Australia's grain growing region is experiencing a dry Autumn. 

Private hospitals do little to lessen the burden on public hospitals

Private hospital emergency departments have little impact in reducing pressure on public hospitals.

The Buderim Private Hospital on the Sunshine Coast will not offer an onsite private emergency department, with the The Australian College of Emergency Medicine advocating for privately insured patients to use private facilities.

President Simon Judkins said “there is a certain demand for private hospital emergency departments, but we’re always just wary that they’re not going to be a panacea to the ongoing issues that we have in the public hospital system.”